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Free Practice Questions for California CNA

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Exam Review

Key Facts: California CNA Exam

3 vendors

CDPH-Approved Testing Vendors

CDPH: D&SDT-Headmaster, Credentia, Regional Testing Center

$140

D&SDT-Headmaster Exam Fee (3/1/2026)

D&SDT-Headmaster ($40 knowledge + $100 skills)

75 questions

D&SDT-Headmaster Knowledge Exam

D&SDT-Headmaster Candidate Handbook (Credentia and RTC: 70)

75%

D&SDT-Headmaster Passing Score

D&SDT-Headmaster Candidate Handbook (RTC: 70%)

160 hrs

Min. Training Required

Cal. Health & Safety Code 1337.1 (60 classroom + 100 clinical; federal 75 hrs)

2 years

Renewal Cycle

CDPH Nurse Aide Registry

48 hrs

CE Hours for Renewal

CDPH requirement

California requires 160 CNA training hours (60 classroom + 100 supervised clinical) vs. the federal 75-hour minimum. CDPH certifies CNAs, and the exam is delivered by CDPH-approved vendors D&SDT-Headmaster, Credentia, or the Regional Testing Center (not Prometric). With D&SDT-Headmaster, testing costs $140 ($40 knowledge + $100 skills, effective 3/1/2026) and the 75-question knowledge exam requires 75%; the Regional Testing Center charges $120 and requires 70% on its 70-question written exam. California CNA salaries average $40,000–$55,000/year, and the state's minimum wage for healthcare workers increases to $23/hr in June 2026 under SB 525. Renew every 2 years with 48 CE hours.

Sample California CNA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the California CNA exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 606+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A resident's oral temperature is 98.6 F. What does this reading indicate?
A.Subnormal temperature requiring warming measures
B.Normal adult body temperature
C.Low-grade fever requiring documentation
D.Elevated temperature requiring physician notification
Explanation: 98.6 F (37 C) is the standard normal adult oral temperature. CNAs must recognize normal ranges so they can identify and report deviations promptly. A normal temperature does not require any intervention beyond routine documentation.
2When measuring a resident's blood pressure, the cuff should be placed:
A.Directly over the sleeve so the resident does not have to undress
B.On the same arm that has an IV line running
C.On the bare upper arm, 1 inch above the antecubital space
D.Around the forearm, 2 inches below the elbow
Explanation: The blood pressure cuff must be placed on the bare upper arm approximately 1 inch above the antecubital fossa (inner elbow). Placing it over clothing or in the wrong location produces inaccurate readings. An arm with an IV line should be avoided because the pressure can interfere with the infusion and affect accuracy.
3A CNA is moving a resident from bed to wheelchair using a gait belt. The gait belt should be placed:
A.Around the chest just below the armpits so the upper trunk stays upright
B.Around the hips at the widest point so the CNA can lift from the pelvis
C.Around the waist over clothing, with room to slip fingers underneath
D.Around the thighs to support the resident's lower body
Explanation: A gait (transfer) belt is applied around the resident's waist over clothing and tightened, then checked by slipping fingers between the belt and the resident so it is secure but not too tight; the D&SDT-Headmaster and Credentia skill checklists both place it at the waist. A belt at the chest or hips gives poor control of the resident's center of gravity and increases fall risk, and a belt around the thighs cannot support the trunk during a transfer.
4When performing passive range-of-motion (PROM) exercises for a resident, the CNA should:
A.Move each joint past the point of resistance to stretch it and maximize flexibility
B.Support the joint above and below and move it smoothly through its normal range
C.Ask the resident to actively resist the movement for strengthening
D.Skip joints that are painful and document that PROM was completed
Explanation: During passive range of motion, the CNA supports the limb above and below the joint and moves it gently and smoothly through its normal range, usually repeating each movement at least three times as the skill checklists require. The CNA never forces a joint past resistance, and stops and reports if the resident says the movement hurts; skipping a painful joint while still charting full PROM is false documentation. Asking the resident to resist the movement is a strengthening exercise, not PROM.
5A resident receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min is eating lunch. What should the CNA do?
A.Remove the oxygen during meals because it is a choking hazard
B.Leave the oxygen in place; it can remain on during meals
C.Switch to a face mask during meals for better oxygen delivery
D.Increase the flow rate to 4 L/min to compensate for eating
Explanation: Oxygen via nasal cannula can safely remain in place during meals. Removing supplemental oxygen when it is prescribed can cause dangerous drops in oxygen saturation. The CNA should never adjust oxygen flow rates or remove oxygen equipment without a nurse's order.
6The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires CNA training programs to include a minimum of:
A.75 hours total (50 classroom, 25 clinical)
B.100 hours total (40 classroom, 60 clinical)
C.160 hours total (60 classroom, 100 clinical)
D.200 hours total (80 classroom, 120 clinical)
Explanation: California Health and Safety Code Section 1337.1 requires a precertification program of at least 60 classroom hours plus at least 100 hours of supervised clinical training, for a 160-hour minimum. That is more than double the federal minimum of 75 clock hours. The 60 classroom hours must include at least 6 hours on preventing, recognizing, and reporting resident abuse and 1 hour on residents' rights violations.
7During a bed bath, a CNA notices that an 82-year-old resident has a new area of redness over the coccyx that does not blanch when pressed. The FIRST action the CNA should take is:
A.Apply a hydrocolloid dressing from the supply cart
B.Massage the reddened area vigorously to restore circulation
C.Report the finding to the nurse immediately and document the observation
D.Reposition the resident every 4 hours and recheck the area at the end of the shift
Explanation: Non-blanching redness over a bony prominence is a Stage 1 pressure injury and must be reported to the nurse at once and documented, so the nurse can assess it and the facility can notify the physician as Title 22 requires when a pressure sore first occurs (22 CCR 72315(f)(7)). Massaging a reddened bony area can damage tissue. CNAs do not choose wound dressings, and stretching the turning interval to 4 hours increases pressure on the area.
8When positioning a resident in the Fowler's position, the head of the bed should be elevated to:
A.About 30 degrees (semi-Fowler's)
B.45-60 degrees (standard Fowler's)
C.60-90 degrees (high Fowler's)
D.Flat, with the head lower than the feet (Trendelenburg)
Explanation: In Fowler's position the head of the bed is raised about 45 to 60 degrees, which helps breathing, eating, and comfort. Semi-Fowler's is a lower elevation (about 30 degrees; some texts say 30 to 45), high Fowler's is 60 to 90 degrees, and Trendelenburg tilts the whole bed so the head is lower than the feet.
9A CNA is assisting a resident who has right-sided weakness (right hemiplegia) after a stroke. When helping the resident ambulate with a cane, on which side should the CNA walk?
A.On the resident's left (stronger) side
B.On the resident's right (weaker) side
C.Two steps ahead to guide the resident
D.Behind the resident holding the gait belt
Explanation: The CNA stays on the resident's weaker (affected) side, slightly behind, so the CNA can support the side most likely to give way. With right hemiplegia the right side is weak, so the CNA walks on the right. The cane is held in the resident's left (stronger) hand. Walking ahead or directly behind leaves the weak side unsupported.
10A resident's care plan indicates a thickened liquid diet. The CNA brings the resident a glass of water. What should the CNA do?
A.Offer the water anyway, because residents have the right to choose what they drink
B.Replace it with a liquid thickened to the consistency in the care plan
C.Stir thickener into the water by eye until it looks about right
D.Ask the nurse if a small amount of regular water is acceptable
Explanation: A thickened-liquid order is written to reduce aspiration in a resident with dysphagia, and it specifies a consistency. The CNA removes the thin water and serves a liquid prepared to the ordered consistency, following the product directions or the dietary department. Guessing by eye can produce a liquid that is too thin to be safe. If the resident wants thin water, the CNA reports the request to the nurse, because the order, not the CNA, decides what is safe.

About the California CNA Exam

The California CNA exam certifies nursing assistants to provide patient care in California. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) certifies CNAs, and the competency exam is delivered by CDPH-approved testing vendors D&SDT-Headmaster, Credentia, or the Regional Testing Center. It includes a written (knowledge) exam, with 75 questions at D&SDT-Headmaster and 70 at Credentia or the Regional Testing Center, plus a skills demonstration test. California requires 160 training hours (60 classroom + 100 supervised clinical), more than double the federal 75-hour minimum.

Exam sponsor: CDPH; tests delivered by approved vendors D&SDT-Headmaster, Credentia, or Regional Testing Center. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

75-question knowledge exam with D&SDT-Headmaster (70 written questions with Credentia or the Regional Testing Center) plus a manual skills test

Time Limit

60 minutes knowledge + 30 min skills with D&SDT-Headmaster; 120 min written + 30 min skills at the Regional Testing Center

Passing Score

75% knowledge exam (57/75) + skills test with D&SDT-Headmaster; 70% written + all 5 skills at the Regional Testing Center

Exam / Certification Fees

$140 with D&SDT-Headmaster ($40 knowledge + $100 skills, effective 3/1/2026); $120 with the Regional Testing Center ($40 written + $80 skills)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published by CDPH. CDPH does not publish a statewide California CNA pass rate. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Basic Nursing Skills

Vital signs, positioning, transfers, nutrition, mobility, catheter care, data collection

11%

Safety & Emergency

Fall prevention, fire safety (RACE/PASS), elopement prevention, body mechanics, emergency response

11%

Resident Rights

California Title 22 resident rights, privacy, advance directives, POLST, financial rights

8%

Role & Responsibility

Scope of practice under CDPH, delegation, CDPH registry, mandated reporting (EADACPA)

8%

Infection Control

Hand hygiene, PPE, standard precautions, isolation, Cal/OSHA requirements

8%

Mental Health

Dementia care, sundowning, depression, therapeutic communication, validation therapy

7%

Care of Cognitively Impaired

Alzheimer's care, redirection, safety in memory care units, behavioral interventions

7%

Communication

SBAR, therapeutic communication, language and interpreter needs, documentation

5%

Personal Care

ADL assistance, bathing, oral care, nail care (diabetic restrictions), dressing

5%

Data Collection & Reporting

Objective/subjective data, I&O measurement, incident reporting per CA Health & Safety Code

5%

Disease Process

Common conditions: CHF, COPD, diabetes, stroke, pressure injuries, DVT recognition

5%

Aging Process & Restorative Care

Normal aging changes, contracture prevention, restorative nursing, ambulation assistance

Preparing for the California CNA Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% knowledge exam (57/75) + skills test with D&SDT-Headmaster; 70% written + all 5 skills at the Regional Testing Center
  • Assessment: 75-question knowledge exam with D&SDT-Headmaster (70 written questions with Credentia or the Regional Testing Center) plus a manual skills test
  • Time limit: 60 minutes knowledge + 30 min skills with D&SDT-Headmaster; 120 min written + 30 min skills at the Regional Testing Center
  • Exam / certification fees: $140 with D&SDT-Headmaster ($40 knowledge + $100 skills, effective 3/1/2026); $120 with the Regional Testing Center ($40 written + $80 skills) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 606 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

California CNA: Suggested Study Strategy

1Know your testing vendor: CDPH approves D&SDT-Headmaster (register through TMU©), Credentia (NNAAP), and the Regional Testing Center (not Prometric) — follow your vendor's candidate handbook
2Know your vendor's passing score: D&SDT-Headmaster requires 75% on its 75-question knowledge exam; the Regional Testing Center requires 70% on its 70-question written exam
3Master the EADACPA: California CNAs are mandated reporters for elder/dependent adult abuse — know what to report and to whom
4Study Title 22 regulations: resident rights in California are broader than federal minimums — oral/written mail, visitors, financial privacy
5Know the California POLST form: it's a physician order that CNAs must honor — different from a simple advance directive
6California's 160-hour training requirement (60 classroom + 100 supervised clinical) is more than double the federal 75-hour minimum
7Know the Ombudsman's role: advocates for resident rights in California SNFs and RCFEs — residents can contact them privately
8SB 525 healthcare minimum wage: $21/hr (2024), $23/hr (June 2026), $25/hr (2028) — California-specific content

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the California CNA exam?

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) certifies CNAs and lists three approved testing vendors (not Prometric): D&SDT-Headmaster, Credentia Nurse Aide LLC, and the Regional Testing Center at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. Follow your vendor's candidate handbook. D&SDT-Headmaster candidates register through the TestMaster Universe (TMU©) system, and as of March 1, 2026, D&SDT-Headmaster fees are $40 for the knowledge exam, $45 for the audio version, and $100 for the skills test.

How many questions are on the California CNA exam?

It depends on your testing vendor. The D&SDT-Headmaster knowledge exam has 75 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute limit and requires 75% (57/75 correct); its skills test assigns 3 or 4 tasks in 30 minutes. Credentia (NNAAP) and the Regional Testing Center give a 70-question written exam and a skills evaluation of 5 skills in 30 minutes; the Regional Testing Center allows 120 minutes for the written exam and requires 70%.

How many training hours are required for California CNA certification?

California requires at least 160 hours in a CDPH-approved nurse assistant training program: 60 classroom hours and 100 hours of supervised clinical training (California Health and Safety Code Section 1337.1). That is more than double the federal 75-hour minimum. Training programs are approved by CDPH.

How do I renew my California CNA certification?

California CNA certifications are renewed every 2 years. To renew, you must complete 48 hours of continuing education (CE) and provide show that you worked for compensation as a CNA, providing nursing-related services under a licensed health professional's supervision, during the two-year certification period. If you miss either requirement, you reactivate by retaking both the written and skills Competency Evaluation (CDPH 283 C). Renewal is processed through the CDPH Nurse Aide Registry.

What are the California-specific rules CNAs must know?

Key California-specific rules include: 1) CDPH certifies CNAs, and testing is delivered by CDPH-approved vendors D&SDT-Headmaster, Credentia, or the Regional Testing Center; 2) 160 training hours required (60 classroom + 100 supervised clinical); 3) the written passing score depends on the vendor (75% with D&SDT-Headmaster, 70% with the Regional Testing Center); 4) CNAs are mandated reporters under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) — failure to report is a misdemeanor; 5) Title 22 governs SNF resident rights; 6) POLST forms are valid physician orders CNAs must honor; 7) California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for resident rights.

What is the California CNA salary?

California CNA salaries average $40,000–$55,000/year, among the highest in the US. California's SB 525 (Durazo Healthcare Worker Minimum Wage Act) set a healthcare-specific minimum wage: $21/hr (June 2024), $23/hr (June 2026), and $25/hr (June 2028) for CNAs in large healthcare facilities. California has the largest CNA workforce in the nation with over 100,000 active CNAs.